[texmextwo]

Group of 14 are riding the Grupo Senda bus from Dallas to Tonala. Can't get an answer to a question through the bus company. Is the cost of the visa included with the bus ticket price or do they have to pay an extra fee at the boarder when crossing into Mexico to obtain the visa. If they need to pay an extra fee, please let us know how much it is if you know. The group leaves on Friday night and your help with this will be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Ruth

[Mostlylost]

texmextwo, on 11 March 2010 - 09:31 PM, said:

Group of 14 are riding the Grupo Senda bus from Dallas to Tonala. Can't get an answer to a question through the bus company. Is the cost of the visa included with the bus ticket price or do they have to pay an extra fee at the boarder when crossing into Mexico to obtain the visa. If they need to pay an extra fee, please let us know how much it is if you know. The group leaves on Friday night and your help with this will be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Ruth

[Mostlylost]

What did the bus company tell you?

[Shira]

I seriously doubt the bus company pays for the visa.

[texmextwo]

Mostlylost, on 11 March 2010 - 09:53 PM, said:

What did the bus company tell you?

I can not reach anyone at the bus company via phone. I have not tried going there to ask. Guess that is my next step.

[texmextwo]

Shira, on 11 March 2010 - 09:57 PM, said:

I seriously doubt the bus company pays for the visa.

Well, you know that when you fly the cost of the air ticket covers the visa. I was thinking maybe the cost of the bus ticket might cover it as well.

[bournemouth]

texmextwo, on 11 March 2010 - 08:31 PM, said:

Group of 14 are riding the Grupo Senda bus from Dallas to Tonala. Can't get an answer to a question through the bus company. Is the cost of the visa included with the bus ticket price or do they have to pay an extra fee at the boarder when crossing into Mexico to obtain the visa. If they need to pay an extra fee, please let us know how much it is if you know. The group leaves on Friday night and your help with this will be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Ruth

They need to make sure the driver understands that they have to get FMT tourist permits at the border - 14 is a lot of people to wait for. I have never heard of a bus line including the cost of the visa in with the ticket. The current cost of an FMT is somewhere around $22US - usually paid in pesos.

[texmextwo]

bournemouth, on 11 March 2010 - 10:07 PM, said:

They need to make sure the driver understands that they have to get FMT tourist permits at the border - 14 is a lot of people to wait for. I have never heard of a bus line including the cost of the visa in with the ticket. The current cost of an FMT is somewhere around $22US - usually paid in pesos.

Thanks bournebouth. Yes 14 is a few. Hope it does not take FOREVER. I think we will just be ready to pay the 22 USD and if not then we will just have extra to spend on something else.

Thanks again to all for the info
Ruthie

[El Toro Furioso]

Boarders have to pay by definition. (Joke, OK?)

[sparks]

There are some groups/organizations in the US that will issue and allow to you pre-pay FMT's ... requiring only a stamp at the border. Hopefully that's what the bus company does

[rjkveton]

A friend just came to visit by bus and in Nuevo Laredo the bus was driven to the Customs/Immigration area where he was interviewed by an Immigration offical who asked questions and filled out the form. A copy was then given to him and he was told to pay for it at his destination in Mexico.

Link to wizard on INAMI website that generates the payment form than can be presented at any bank.

Also note that is you stay is for 7 days or less no payment is required.

Use "Derechos de No Inmigrante" and "Fisica" from the first 2 drop downs. Segundo Apellido and Razon Social and the last two text boxes can be left blank. Click Aceptar.

On the next page use "No Inmigrante Turista", "Terrestre", "Ingreso" and choose the point of entry, then enter the number of FMT's you are paying for, then click the two Calcular command buttons and then click Imprimir. This will not print anything but will generate a pdf file you can print out or save.

[maw7815]

texmextwo, on 11 March 2010 - 08:31 PM, said:

Group of 14 are riding the Grupo Senda bus from Dallas to Tonala. Can't get an answer to a question through the bus company. Is the cost of the visa included with the bus ticket price or do they have to pay an extra fee at the boarder when crossing into Mexico to obtain the visa. If they need to pay an extra fee, please let us know how much it is if you know. The group leaves on Friday night and your help with this will be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Ruth

I have taken the Grupo Senda (Turimex) bus several times from Guad to Austin and back. It is 22 hours more or less from Austin- probably add 3-4 hours to Dallas. The advantage is not having to change buses at the border.
Yes- you do have to get an FMT- turist visa if you don't have an FM-3. The buses have their own line- no cars- and they will let you out when they are in line- walk to the building about a block away- get your visa- then back to the bus which has moved up the line- then back into the bus. It is usually around 4:00-5:00 am. I wrote about this bus trip and have a Word doc to send you if you PM me.
maw